Truss



p 1950 M. PORTNOW 2,523,232

TRUSS Filed Nov. 4, 194a INVENTOR. MOE/5 PORTNOW.

Patented Sept. 19, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRUSS L s I Moris Portnow, New York, N. Y,

Application November 4, 1946, Serial No. 707,616

This invention relates broadly to trusses and more particularly to means whereby a truss may be worn with a much greater degree of comfort than is now possible.

There are broadly two types of trusses in common use, One type of truss comprises two springs each of which has a truss pad at one end. This truss is generally used in connection with double hernia. The other type of truss has one spring, having a truss pad at one of its ends. This type of truss is generally used in connection with single hernia. The present application relates more particularly to means associated with the doublehernia type of truss.

It is the principal object of the present invention to alleviate the pressure of the spring element of a truss against the body of the wearer,

' *3 Claims. (01.128-95) of truss, in which the rear ends of the springs are joined by an adjusting strap and the front ends .of the truss are joined by an adjusting strap.

Figure 5 is a front elevational view of the left hand portion of the truss illustrated in Figure 4.

Referring in greater detail to the drawing, the truss illustrated in Figures 1 through 3 of the drawing is broadly referred to by the numeral Hi. It comprises a pair of truss-pads l I spacedly and adjusta-bly mounted on a brace I2, each end of the brace IZ'being provided with a slot I3. In

7 each of said slots [3 is movably retained a screw by providing a pad-like sheath for the spring element of a truss.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sheath for the spring element of a truss, the sheath being provided with a pad-like cap at one end, to ease the pressure of the free end of the spring against the body.

And yet another advantage of the present invention resides in the provision of a sheath for the spring element of a truss, the sheath having a cap formed at one end by dipping the end in a solution of moisture-proof material.

Still another purpose of the present invention resides in the provision of a sheath for the spring element of a truss, the sheath comprising a central tubular section for the spring, and two outwardly tapered edge sections, one for each side of the tubular section.

These and other meritorious objects and advantages, which will become more fully apparent as the description hereof proceeds, are attained by the novel construction and combination of parts, hereinafter described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a material component of the present disclosure, and in which:

I4 each of said screws I4 being partl imbedded in the back of each truss pad I I. In this manner, the relative distance between truss pads may be altered by moving each pad within the slot and retaining it in an adjusted position by tightening the screw in the conventional manner.

The truss further comprises two springs, I6 and [64; respectively, each of the springs adapted to be placed about and retained at one side of the waist'ofa wearer. Spring l6is adapted to be retained in a sheath l5 and spring [6a is adapted to be retained in a sheath l5a in a manner and for the purpose to be hereinafter described. Each of the sheaths had a pad-like cap superimposed at one of its ends, in a manner and for the purpose Which will hereinafter be more fully explained, the caps being referred to by the numerals I1 and I la respectively. Each of said caps may be provided with a stud l8 for selective engagement with any of the holes 2G in adjusting belt ill to join the truss springs at the rear. Each end of the brace l2 may be secured to the other end of springs I6|6a by means of rivets 2| or other retaining means, All of the elements referred to above, except sheaths I5l5a and caps l1l la. are old and well known in the truss art. They do not form part of the present invention and are illustrated and described merely for explanatory purposes.

The present invention comprises sheaths |5l5a.. Each of said sheaths is made from a tubular strip of rubber or other soft and flexible material. Each sheath is slightly longer at one end than the spring which it is intended tocontain, so that, when the spring is entered into the sheath it will stop just short of the sheath at the front where the truss pads are positioned. Each of said sheaths comprises a central longitudinal section, 22-22:; respectively in which springs l6 and 16a respectively are adapted to be retained, and the sheaths are further provided with two longitudinal edges, which extend throughout the length of the central tubular section and 7 which are outwardly tapered as at 23-43:; and

2 i24a respectively. 1 One end of each sheath is closed by having a pad-like cap I! and Ila respectively superimposed thereon. This is done in the following 'manner,. although other methods may be found to be preferable: One end of the sheath is inserted in a solution of liquid rubber of the kind commonly known by the trade name Latex, although any other suitable and desirable solution may be used. In order to prevent the solution from getting into the tubular opening, the opening is sealed at its edge either by using a staple or by inserting a small piece of rubber into the end of the opening or in any other suitable and desirable manner. This, of course, must be done before the end of the sheath'iszinserted into the liquid rubber solution. After the solution on may be provided with a stud M for selective engagement with openings 40 in adjusting belt 39. Thus there have been shown two forms of trusses, each provided with sheaths of the present invention. By the useof the present sheaths,

pressure of the springs is relieved. The tapered edge sections prevent discomfort in'bending and sitting, and the caps are provided to relieve pressure at the free ends of the springs.

' Thus there has been shown a sheath for the spring element of a truss in the preferred form of its embodiment, but it is to be understood that the disclosure is to be regarded as illustrative and descriptive only and not as restrictive or limitathe sheath is dry, the cap, which has now formed, V

is dipped into a conventional binding compound and, after this is dry, it is again dipped into a solution of liquid rubber. After the second solution has become dry, the sheath is placed into an oven at a predetermined temperature, to temper,.

28 therein. At its rear, each pad 26 is provided with a stud 29 for selective engagement in openings 28.

The truss further comprises a pair of springs 3 I, generally made of steel, the lower ends of the springs being each provided with an opening for alignment with a corresponding opening near the-lower end of a bar 34, two such bars being provided, one for each of said springs. Each bar terminates at its other end in a hinge 39 having a central opening therein to receive by means of screws 31 or'otherwise, the lower end of an adjusting bar 32, its upper end'being provided with a horizontal slot 36 in which may be adjustably entered the stud 29 in pad 29. At their other ends, springs ill may be joined by an adjusting strap 39 having a plurality of openings 40 for selective engagement with studs a! as will hereinafter be described. at the ends of the springs are brought into alinement with corresponding openings in bars 34, each spring and bar is joined by means of rivet 85 or otherwise. All of the truss construction described is old and does not form a part of the present invention.

The present invention comprises a sheath for each spring, the sheaths being referred to by the numerals 39 and a respectively. The sheaths are identically like sheaths i5l 5a and comprise each a central longitudinal tube to retain a spring,

.out outwardly tapered edges at each side of the tubular opening. One end of each sheath has a pad-like cap 3338a superimposed thereon in the manner hereabove described, and each cap When the openings tive to the exact details shown, applicant reserving the right to make such-changes in the invention as may come within the scope of the appended claims without thereby departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired tosecure by Letters Patent, is: v f r r 1. As an article of 'manufactnre,.a unitary sheath for the waist-embracingspring of a truss, said sheath comprising a central tubula-r section in which the spring is adapted to be retained, and two edge sections one for each side of said tubular section and extending throughout the length of said tubular section, and a pad-like cap superimposed upon and closing one end of said sheath. 7

2. As an article of manufacture, a sheath for the waist-embracing spring of a truss, said sheath consisting of a unitary piece ofmaterial and comprising a: central longitudinal tubular section in which a, truss-spring is adapted to be housed,

' 1 two outwardly tapered edge sections, one on each side of said tubular section,.and a pad-like cap superimposed upon and closing one end of said sheath. 7 l

3. A sheath for the waist-embracing spring of a truss, said sheath composed of 'a'unitary piece of material and comprising a central longitudinal tubular section, two outwardly tapered edge sections, one on each side of said tubular section, a pad-like cap formed upon and closing one end of said sheath, and a stud in and extending outwardly from said cap.

MORI'S. PORTNOW.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 38,230 Lakey Apr. 21, 1863 742,608 Doane Oct. 27, 1903 949,543 Makepiece Feb. 15, 1910 1,613,712 Manix Jan. 11, 1927 2,237,939 Klein Apr. 8, 1941 2,239,616 Mergehenn Apr. 22, 1941' 2,284,205 Hausen May 26, 1942 2,372,010 Raw -1 Mar. 20, 1945 

